Following almost annihilating the world, the relatives have become friends’: the gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, humanity veered closer to destruction more so than ever in modern times. This happened when a US reconnaissance aircraft identified the fact that Soviet atomic weapon bases were under construction in Cuba, less than 100 miles from American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine around the island. The next phase was nearly 14 days filled with unbearable anxiety.

An Catastrophic Threat

The threat remained obvious. If President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a cascade involving worldwide atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes might have ensued, casting humanity into all-out destruction.

The October crisis has been documented repeatedly, in books, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb presents a completely new dimension into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders who, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin considering? What was the United States considering?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic of global relations.

For her, the strength of the podcast lies in its attempt to question: "Why do people hate one another and confront one another?"

"It struck me how spectacular it is that people can be allies or else can become complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and currently a writer and lawyer. "We see this repeatedly when nations have gone to war, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Catastrophe

What is notable about this event was that, because it transpired so publicly, people worldwide were able to observe almost in real time while it edged towards armageddon. Even so, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've sunk the aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have ended all life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate when many advisors around them demanded action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his missiles from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following these events, and Nina being taught about it via the Soviet school curriculum, which presented a slightly different picture of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always wonderful and sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus avoided the war, seen as a positive thing," she adds. Subsequently, though, that perspective would not be held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is so even-handed and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and USSR to appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of hope.

"We are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we connected really well and we are friends, which is really great. Finally, after almost six decades of almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become friends, suggesting the world is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now are living in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to comprehend